Lyle - thank you for sharing your story. I have a close family member with mental health issues, and I find it helpful when people open up and share what they are going through.
I am also getting a lot out of your site and appreciate your responses to my questions. Thanks again.

Hi Lyle I'm 19 years old and I also suffer from very similar problems. I've never been diagnosed but its obvious I have bipolar 2, I've had cycles of both hypomania and depression.
I never really realised until recently that my actions were in a pattern like this but I'd say I'm on the pretty extreme end of it. My teenage years have just been crazy looking back. Highs of extreme energy and then the lows set in.

I can definitely relate to not wanting to seek help when you're depressed I always get the feeling of what's the point and not to mention I'd feel embarrassed talking to people about it.

My sleep is especially bad during my depression stages something I see you struggled with as well I just cannot fall asleep even though I am exhausted.

Great series of articles. I've had to deal with my own personal, familial, and mental health issues over the last couple of years and so I can relate with some of the challenges you've expressed in the article and the experience of seeking out treatment. I'd definitely say that if you have found a medication and general routine that seems to be helping you progress in the right direction, you're going to want to avoid too many "gaps" in treatment. It's easy to 'forget' about how bad your symptoms can get when you're in a short period of time with a semblance of control. With that in mind, make sure you're getting a similar level of care and follow up in Austin as you did in Nashville. Also, as you probably realize, the battle goes beyond finding the right medication. I hope that you find ways to organize both your internal and external life in such a way that you can move forward and find purpose and happiness.